Hamerton Zoo Park keeper Rosa King, who was mauled to death by a tiger yesterday.

The 33-year-old was killed when one of the centre's four tigers got into an enclosure where she was working.

Desperate colleagues tried hurling meat towards the tiger in a bid to distract it but Rosa could not be saved and was declared dead at the zoo.

Rosa's mum said her daughter died "doing what she loved."

Tributes were laid outside the zoo today by former colleagues and well wishers offering sympathy to her family.

Huntingdonshire District Council announced they were working with Police to help the investigation.

17:23Rachael McMenemy

Breaking: Statement from Huntingdonshire District Council

Nigel McCurdy, Corporate Director (Delivery) for Huntingdonshire District Council, said: “The Council sympathises with the family and friends of the Zoo Keeper and offers its condolences. Both the Police and the Council are working together within routine protocols to progress investigations into the incident as efficiently and effectively as possible. Whilst those investigations are ongoing, it is inappropriate for the Council to comment further.”

16:52Rachael McMenemy

Staff head home, still no further statement

Staff at Hamerton Zoo are heading home after another day of uncertainty.

There is no news on when the zoo will re-open.

16:45Rachael McMenemy

No further statement from Hamerton Zoo

Staff opened gate to let out a staff car around at 4.25pm but refused to say if they would release a statement.

16:14Rachael McMenemy

More tributes left outside Hamerton Zoo

one of the tributes outside Hamerton Zoo

16:02Rachael McMenemy

Message left at Hamerton Zoo

Touching tributes left at Hamerton Zoo

15:55Rachael McMenemy

Former colleague pays emotional tribute

Jake White who worked with Rosa arrived with his partner Matthew to pay tribute to his friend.

“I used to work with her. She was passionate about what she did. She was loved by all. I feel so shocked. I did what she did too... I don’t know what could have happened.”

15:08Chris Elliott

Rosa raised money to help bears

Ms King was a self-confessed fan of big cats, and also raised funds three years ago for a charity helping bears. Linking to a JustGiving page, through which she raised more than £900, she told donors she was going to skydive for Animals Asia.

She wrote on Facebook: “Those of you who know me and have spoken to me around the zoo will be aware of my love of big cats, but probably aren’t as aware of my love of bears!

“I am a big supporter of the animal charity Animals Asia, who rescue and care for bears effected (sic) by the pet trade and in particular the cruel bear bile trade.”

14:22Chris Elliott

Staff leave park in jeep

Our reporter Anna Savva says: “Two zoo staff have just left the park in a striped safari-style jeep, and sped off.”

13:46Chris Elliott

More tributes outside the zoo entrance

Another woman, who placed red roses by the zoo’s entrance, was visibly distressed and described keeper Rosa King as “the most compassionate woman you’d ever meet. She’ll be so missed by everyone who knew her.”

More floral tributes at the Hamerton zoo

13:19Chris Elliott

Latest from our reporter Anna Savva at the scene

The press pack are still camped out at the locked gates to the park awaiting a statement.

It is not known what the long-term fate of the animal will be or exactly how and why Rosa was attacked.

Staff members have been seen moving back and forth tending to the animals.

A small white transit van was seen leaving the park earlier today, and a floral tribute has been laid by a mother and daughter.

One unnamed Hamerton resident said: ”I have nothing to say if it’s about the zoo - leave the people of Hamerton alone, and the zoo people alone.”

13:14Chris Elliott

Floral tribute left at zoo

A family describing themselves as regular visitors to the Hamerton park have left a bouquet of roses there.

A card with the flowers says: “We are so sad to hear of the tragic death of one of your zoo keepers. Our thoughts are with all of you here at Hamerton and the lady’s family. Rest in peace.”

The card is from “the Wright family, regular visitors.”

Floral tribute at the zoo

12:36

People who knew Ms King have posted their condolences on social media

Philip Caso, a 20-year-old zoology student from Peterborough, got to know Ms King through doing work experience at the zoo each summer and commended her conservation efforts.

In a tribute on Facebook, he wrote: “I’m literally devastated to hear that one of the most inspirational women I knew died at Hamerton Zoo.

“Rosa loved and respected those animals to the point where each and every one was like a child to her. Her passion for her job has really inspired me and I was just glad I got the chance to know her. Thinking of all the other keepers.”

Photographer Hollie Gordon, who said she became friends with Ms King through visits to the zoo, said: “Her passion for the animals, the zoo and conservation really shone through. She loved them all!”

The 24-year-old, from Blackpool, added: “I am in shock by what has happened. Terribly upset and can’t quite believe I won’t see her again with a big smile on her face and working with her beloved cats.”

The case has been referred to Cambridgeshire Coroner’s Office and a spokesman said an inquest will be opened next week, with no further information available before then.

Ms King’s mother asked that the family’s privacy be respected at this time.

12:25

A tiger enthusiast who met Rosa King two months ago has paid tribute to her

A man who met Hamerton Zoo Park keeper Rosa King two months before she died has said she was a “fantastic woman”.

Tiger enthusiast Russ Neve, 46, took part in a one-to-one tiger-feeding experience at Hamerton Zoo Park less than two months ago, where he met Rosa King, who was killed yesterday (May 29) by one of the tigers she cared for.

Press not welcome at cheetah residence in Hamerton

Our reporter Anna Savva has spotted this note to members of the press, on the gate of the residence where an escaped cheetah from Hamerton Zoo was recaptured nine years ago. The home owner has asked the press not to try to contact them.

A note asking members of the press not to enter, at the household in Hamerton where a cheetah escaped to nine years ago. Photo taken by reporter Anna Savva today (Tuesday, May 30).

A note asking members of the press not to enter, at the household in Hamerton where a cheetah escaped to nine years ago. Photo taken by reporter Anna Savva today (Tuesday, May 30).

12:11

Local mum from Hamerton comments on the tragedy

A mum-of-one from Hamerton, who didn’t want to be identified, said: “We go up to Hamerton Zoo quite a lot.

“We’ve never had any problems and it always seemed well run and we know a few people who work there.

“I take my little boy there and I’ve never been concerned. I love the tigers at the zoo.

“I knew of Rosa, she did a lot of fundraising for conservation. They have sheep in the field here and she would come to feed them.

“They have housing at the zoo so I think Rosa may have lived there. From what I’ve heard she was a nice person.

“The details haven’t come out yet but Rosa knew what she was doing, she was very experienced.

“It was just very tragic and everyone in the village is shocked that it happened.

“The zoo has been built up from the ground. It has a lot of endangered animals and do a lot of conservation work, so it’s just very sad. I really like that zoo. Everyone here knows someone who works there.”

The mum said the media attention in Hamerton since the accident yesterday (May 29) has been overwhelming.

“Hamerton is a very small village and the media attention is unnerving because there are not that many houses here, and everyone just wants to be left alone.”

She speculated that the latch on the enclosure gate didn’t click shut or that the accident was down to “human error”.

She added: “It’s not fair to say the tiger turned on her, it just did what comes naturally to it.

“I don’t think the zoo will be open tomorrow. Its a good zoo. I’ve never been concerned.”

11:19

Hamerton businessman speaks about the incident at zoo

Woodworking business owner Martin Bachelor told the news: “I didn’t know Ms King but I have never had any problems with the zoo, which neighbours my business.

“I’m not fearful of any animals escaping.”

11:09

Video footage from the scene outside Hamerton Zoo right now

10:56

What happens now about investigating the tiger attack?

Council officials in charge of issuing animal licences for Hamerton Zoo Park have yet to comment on the tragedy.

A spokeswoman for the Huntingdonshire District Council said: “We will be releasing a statement later.”

Staff at work today although zoo remains closed

A member of staff at Hamerton Zoo following the death of zookeeper Rosa King

Some staff are working at Hamerton Zoo today although the attractions remains closed to the public.

10:13

Some pictures from outside Hamerton Zoo which is closed today

Members of the media outside Hamerton Zoo today (Tuesday, May 30)

Members of the media outside Hamerton Zoo after zookeeper Rosa King was mauled to death by a tiger

Members of the media wait for a statement outside Hamerton Zoo

10:01

Anna Savva is live at Hamerton Zoo

I’m here at the entrance to Hamerton Zoo Park where zookeeper Rosa King was tragically mauled to death by a Bengal Tiger in what the park has described as a ‘freak accident’. The national press are camped outside awaiting a further statement from the zoo now the victim of the attack has been named. What happened yesterday is not yet known. It is believed she was attacked inside the tiger enclosure at around 11.30am yesterday

09:52

Zookeeper's mother says daughter died 'doing what she always loved'

The mother of a zookeeper killed by one of her tigers has paid tribute to her daughter - saying she died doing “what she has always loved”. Andrea King, described her daughter’s dedication to the job, saying: “She wouldn’t have done anything else, it’s what she has always done, it’s what she has always loved.”

09:36

Tiger has not been harmed

09:29

What will happen to the tiger that killed zoo keeper Rosa King?

People have voiced their concerns over what will happen to the tiger that mauled a zoo keeper to death at Hamerton Zoo Park yesterday (May 29).

Many have taken to social media to pay their respects to the passionate zoo keeper, but also to express their worry about the future of the tiger.

No news has yet been released about what will happen to the tiger, but a Cambridgeshire Police spokeswoman said today that the tiger involved is alive and well.

Rosa King, 33, died after being mauled by a tiger at Hamerton Zoo, Cambridgeshire.

07:58

Many people voice concerns for the future of the tiger

07:57

Cheetah escaped from enclosure at Hamerton Zoo almost 10 years ago

The Hamerton Zoo Park hit the headlines nearly a decade ago after a cheetah escaped from its enclosure.

Toby Taylor, then nine, encountered the escaped animal in his back garden.

Toby, who lived with his family near Hamerton Zoo at the time, immediately ran indoors when he saw the animal.

The three-year-old cheetah, thought to have escaped through a faulty electric fence, was collected by its keepers, accompanied by the police a short time later.

07:55

Hamerton Zoo Park closed today for investigation

Hamerton Zoo Park will be closed today so that investigations into Rosa King’s death can be carried out.

Staff at the zoo near Huntingdon have said they are too distressed to speak directly to the media.

A press release on the zoo website says: “The Park will be closed from tomorrow 30th May, as a full investigation is currently underway, and we hope that more details can be announced as soon as we are able.

“At no point during the incident did any animals escape their enclosures, and at no point was public safety affected in any way.

“All our thoughts and sympathies are with our colleagues, friends and families at this dreadful time.”

07:48

Park keeper Rosa called the 'shining light' of Hamerton Zoo

A keeper killed in a “freak accident” after a tiger entered the enclosure she was in has been described as the ‘shining light’ of the zoo where she worked.

Rosa King, who has been named in reports as the Hamerton Zoo Park keeper who died on Monday, was a ‘lovely lady’ who was ‘absolutely passionate’ about the animals in her care, a friend said.

Garry Chisholm, 59, a wildlife photographer in his spare time who knew Ms King through visiting the attraction in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, said the zoo revolved around the keeper.